From their website: "“SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION” specializes in manufacturing equipment for the particular task force and law enforcement agencies around the world."

I don't think these guys are associated with the SFA. They sell watches that they call "SFAS" (Special Forces Association Standard").

I'm guessing that the SFA name is not trademarked. I'd just hate for well-meaning folks to buy from these guys thinking they are buying from the REAL SFA and thinking that they are contributing to our organization somehow when they are not (especially, since our SFA sells -- among other things -- the Shumate Diver watches).

Red Flag 1

12-17-2014, 21:10

This any of you guys see this before?

Visit this link: http://sfas.pro/

From their website: "“SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION” specializes in manufacturing equipment for the particular task force and law enforcement agencies around the world."

I don't think these guys are associated with the SFA. They sell watches that they call "SFAS" (Special Forces Association Standard").

I'm guessing that the SFA name is not trademarked. I'd just hate for well-meaning folks to buy from these guys thinking they are buying from the REAL SFA and thinking that they are contributing to our organization somehow when they are not (especially, since our SFA sells -- among other things -- the Shumate Diver watches).

They are pretty bold in their use of Special Forces Association. Claiming to "meet Special Forces Association standards". Not bad looking watches, and I wonder what they are asking? Still, I like the Shumate that is in The Drop, a lot better.

PRB

12-17-2014, 23:22

Reading the advert the English is off...is this a foreign outfit?

Last hard class

12-17-2014, 23:43

The German company SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION specializes in the production of equipment for specialized security and law enforcement agencies around the world. The main requirement for the release of its ammunition and uniforms are: high performance, reliability and endurance of military equipment in combat.

Company SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION holds its own standard of quality and manufactures equipment with high performance. Thanks to them, earned the respect of the staff of various law enforcement agencies, including the German Bundeswehr (Bundeswehr) and GSG9 (Grenzschutzgruppe 9), Swiss 17th deep exploration company (Femspah Kompanie), Russian Vympel and Alpha. Introducing a professional tool: Swiss and German military watches «SFAS», produced according to the standard of the Association of Special Forces (Special Forces Association Standard). Nowadays, watches are not only a means for measuring time, but an attribute belonging to certain professional groups, the necessary instruments with additional features and, of course, an indicator of status. As professional military watches can be a wonderful gift that reflects the recognition of the merits, gratitude, respect or love.

LHC

Flagg

12-18-2014, 02:31

I'm no IP attorney, but I've run into my share of blatant and grey area IP fraud on behalf of a well known American brand.

Even IF SFA didn't trademark SFA and/or associated SFAS, there is still "prior art".

Any attornies in SFAS that could send them a couple targeted letters?

Just because there may be no trademark doesn't mean there aren't IP rights.

IIRC, if you don't defend what's yours in a case like this then it's public domain.

Take everything I write with a kilo of salt. I have just enough experience to be dangerous to myself and everyone within the blast radius.

JJ_BPK

12-18-2014, 04:25

Interesting use of the pro suffix. Not sure I've seen it used before.

PRO -- For use by licensed professionals, such as attorneys and physicians.

Start Info
Founded on June 18, 2012
Short Description
Military watches by SFAS / Armbanduhren Militär SFAS / Военные часы SFAS
Long Description
Military watch “SFAS” are produced in accordance with the Special Forces Association Standartd.

Nowadays watches are not only pieces for time measuring, but also an attribute of being a part of special professional groups, a necessary equipment with additional functions and of course a statute mark. Professional military watch can also be a perfect gift that represents recognition of services, gratefulness, respect and love.

To provide safety and comfort of the SFAS watches the company SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION UG has implemented ergonomic cases with perfectly worked out dimensions and also time-and-stress-tested movements. All movements are placed in one-piece cases made of steel 316L with vibration damping device thereby these watches are not afraid neither of shakes nor of shocks. German models have shake-proof Japanese movements, Swiss models have reliable Swiss movements ETA.

In the SFAS watches is generally used a black dial protected by a scratch proof Swiss sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating thanks to which you perfectly see all the indices and hands even on a sunny day. The main task of the anti-reflective coating is to eliminate the strong light reflection, that can blind temporarily or attract too much attention.

A very durable black ion-plating (IP) is implemented on these watches. It is applied at the level of crystalline grid, on which the electrons of one metal are mixed up with the electrons of another metal. As a result of this ion-plating the coating on the watches is very hard-wearing, abrasion-resistant and saves the original trade dress for many years.

All the watches have water resistance from at least 100 meters and up to 500 (from 10 up to 50 ATM). All models are obligatory equipped with screw cover and screw crown (or a crown with double safety system) what provides 100% moisture protection. All that lets you be under water with your watches and be absolutely sure in its safety.

These watches have different interchangeable types of straps of a standard for military watches width: 22 or 24 mm, it allows to make a quick replacement. A so called “eternal strap”, made of 100% natural rubber-based carbon fiber, is also placed. This is the most solid water resistant strap, from the point of characteristics it is safe to equal to the steel band. At the same time it is much lighter and perfectly fits for those people who on principle does not wear watches on steel band, but would like to have the same strength properties.

The only watches we have dealt with are the Shumate Collection Dive Watches sponsored by Chapter VII. The are excellent watches, I have two, one with Crest, and one with the crossed arrows and de oppresso liber. Never had a Russian watch, guess they are like the Thailex and Turkex Rolexes.

tobin

Team Sergeant

12-18-2014, 14:29

So we're guessing the real SFA has no connection?

If so we're about to make these guys a little more famous.......

The Reaper

12-18-2014, 15:15

So we're guessing the real SFA has no connection?

If so we're about to make these guys a little more famous.......

Ask Jack.

The SFA has allowed some unusual marketing of the brand lately. Remember the Navy SEAL rifle?

TR

jntobin

12-18-2014, 15:45

We have no relationship to any watch except the one produced by Chapter VII, made by GSW an American Firm. These watches were not commissioned by the SFA, but by Chapter VII, we just assisted marketing them.

Reference the SEAL rifle, it brought in and is still bringing in funds, that are going to assist the SFA and its members, would you like to write us a check for 100k a year, if so we won't have to worry about the grounds, the scholarship fund, the members and it will cut my work week by a bunch.

tobin

The Reaper

12-18-2014, 16:02

Is there a legal remedy to them using the branding of the real SFA?

TR

jntobin

12-18-2014, 16:54

reading the posting it seems they are using SFAS, or Special Forces Association Standard. Maybe if they used our emblem, we would have standing, but without that link, I don't know. Will check with a legal beagle, but checked this out when we first took office, because of all the folks that were using it to make money. Was told that the founders did not trademark the name and emblem, and that is was too late now.